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| MAC Store Display |
Major Matt Mason Club
Before the Mattel Astrospace Center (Club) was formed, Mattel devised this rare Major Matt Mason Club package: A membership card, a pin, and a signed photo of MMM all enclosed in a printed envelope. I'm not quite sure if this was offered outside the US or if the MAC items (below) was the first international expansion of the club into Canada and Europe (and maybe Australia?). I'm also not sure if the pin was part of the kit or whether that was a store giveaway only.
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| Major Matt Mason Club Contents (Image from Larry Chinn) |
MMM Club Card
This card could be signed by the member and carried around in his/her wallet.
MMM Club Pin
This 2" diameter metal pin was included in the MMM Club package. It has a metal tab at the top that allows it to be clipped to clothing. This is sometimes found with a small hole at the top, presumably to attach it to a wall using a thumbtack (it's fairly common and may have been recommended by Mattel). The pin was also provided to toy store owners and may have been used as a giveaway. Pin Back Image.
MMM Club Photo
This very cool signed photo (about 7 1/4" tall by x 5 1/4" wide) could be framed by the member to pay homage to everyone's favorite Major! This photo is also found on the last page of an extremely rare 1967 8-page MMM catalog (probably a store give-away) in a larger size of 8 1/2" x 11" (magazine size of the catalog) - you'll sometimes see the cut-out version with an image of the Space Station on the back.
MMM Club Envelope
Apparently this envelope held all the goodies together for the club member (all examples I've seen had the envelope flap seal opened). Measures 8 1/4" tall by 5 1/2" wide.
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| MAC Store Display |
Mattel Astrospace Corps - US Club
The Major Matt Mason Club transitioned into the Mattel Astrospace Corps, I think in 1969. By
joining a new member received a membership card, an iron-on heat-transfer patch for placing on a tee-shirt and a
coupon for ordering a MAC cap. All this came in a printed manila
envelope. At some point (probably around 1969) the MAC club was made available internationally but from the evidence I've seen, had content variations.
MAC Store Display
The MAC store display is a die-cut version of the MAC logo on coated white stock. It was provided to stores who supported the MAC campaigns and offered Major Matt Mason items at retail. These could be taped or otherwise attached to walls or counters, or often (as in the case of my example) punched with a hole so it can be suspended from the ceiling. MAC Store Display back.
MAC Vinyl ID "Wallet"
This is the most common item from the M.A.C. club kit. It is made of thin white vinyl, 4 1/4” tall by 5 7/8” wide (opened) in size and has a pocket
on each side. The young astronaut hopeful could fill in his name and
address. Vinyl ID "Wallet" Back.
MAC Iron-on Heat Transfer for Clothing
The transfer is printed in reverse on backing paper, 4 5/8” tall x 3 5/8” wide in paper size. The image itself is 3" x 3"
To apply, it would be placed on a tee-shirt with the print facing the textile. After ironing on the transfer the backing paper would be peeled off to reveal the image in place. Reversed Detail Image.
MAC Cap Envelope/Coupon
This 3 1/2” tall x 6” wide (closed) envelope was self-addressed to Mattel Astrospace Corp and contained a coupon under the flap that could be filled-out by kids wanting to buy the MAC cap (shown below). I consider the MAC cap to be one of the rarest of all MMM items...think about it, in order to obtain one, a kid had to be a member of the MAC club and gotten this coupon, then mailed it in (with $1 before June 1969) and been lucky that the Post Office actually delivered it! And you thought that the carded Mobile Launch Pad was rare?!
MAC "Baseball" Cap
By sending in a club kit coupon, a member of the Mattel
Astrospace Center could (with the addition of a couple of dollars plus
shipping) order the MAC cap. The cap features the MAC logo
with gold leaves (heat transfer) on the brim. I really took a chance
bidding on this cap without examining it in person. I'm happy to say
that I'm convinced of its authenticity. The cap is made of a blue
poly-blend with a fake leather band
(notice the cracks from age). The cap is sized for a child and is
4-panel in construction (a style that hasn't been produced in 20
years!). The MAC logo is a 3-color heat transfer style patch done in
amazing detail. The opening is about 7" in diameter.
There's also a flat-top variant of this cap that is 3-panel in construction with yellow "leaves" instead of the gold on the brim. I believe this cap was issued in Canada or in Europe. The diameter of the cap opening is tighter than the 7" in the US version, with two elastic gussets at the back.
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| Comparison 4-panel left vs 3-panel right |
MAC Envelope Mailer
The MAC Envelope image was provided by Larry "the Sharkman" Chinn. E-mail him with your questions. If anyone else out there can contribute more information of images, please feel free to e-mail me. I'm also actively buying MAC and MMM Club Kit items, especially international items.
Mattel Astrospace Center - Canadian Club
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| Canada MAC Club Contents (Image from eBay Ad) |
I'm not quite sure if you could join the Mattel Canada version of the Mattel Astrospace Corps via regular toy store promotion (like in the US) or whether it was only through a Simpsons-Sears Department store promotion. The kit is somewhat a mash-up of the first Major Matt Mason Club and MAC with a stiff ID card, a reflective sticker instead of an iron-on and similar (perhaps same) cap.
Mattel Astrospace Club - Italy
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| Mattel Astrospace Club - Italy |
In Italy the Mattel Astrospace Club (MAC - Italy) was handled a bit differently - there in conjunction with the very popular 'Corriere dei Piccoli' (in English, Children's Mail) one of the main Italian comic strip magazines. You would collect CORRIERINO CLUB MAC Tokens from issues of the magazine and send them in along with an entry coupon, answering a few questions regarding Space to receive the items. Click the image above to view the MAC club contents.
Centro Astrospaziale Mattel
Not really a club item, the CAM logo was found on toy shops in Italy to identify those selling MMM items. I've included it here because of its similarity to the MAC logo.
All Mattel images and captions are copyright Mattel and used without permission. All other content, including images and editorial, is Copyright © 1997-2024 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton or Paul Vreede.
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